The couple dropped Otto off at the doorstep of a Sun Valley animal shelter last Friday. They left him in a basket with a note attached, saying they could no longer afford to care for their beloved pet.
The heartbreaking note read, "We are both seniors, sick with no money. We cannot pay for vet bills or to put him to sleep. He has never been away from us in all these years, he cannot function without us. Please put him to sleep."
Shelter workers were moved by the note and contacted Toby Wisneski, who founded Leave No Paws Behind, an organization that rescues older dogs and dogs with medical needs.
"Had they just walked him in, this dog wouldn't be here today. They would have euthanized him," said Wisneski.
Wisneski took Otto to a vet. He's being treated for a skin condition and other issues.
"All of his conditions were not because of abuse, not because of neglect. Just simply because they didn't have the funds to care for him," Wisneski said.
Otto's owners heard about the rescue and contacted Toby. It was an emotional call.
"He was unbelievably grateful and the tears - it was heart-wrenching again," Wisneski said.
Leave No Paws Behind will pay for Otto's medical care and look out for him for the rest of his life.
The owners will be reunited with Otto as his foster family. The vet says with proper care, he should live several more years.
